System for lowering and raising a hvac air return filter

ABSTRACT

A system for lowering an air return filter comprising: a reel; a cable system attached to the reel; and an air return filter engaged at the end of the cable system, where the reel and the cable system enable a vertical adjustment of the air return filter. Preferably, the air return filter may seal a return air duct, where the air return filter is with a frame opening of a ceiling. Further, the air return filter may include a removable filter and is connected to a HVAC system.

CROSS REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/790,047 filed on Oct. 22, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system that lowers an air return filter in a typical HVAC system to allow access thereto.

Description of Related Art

HVAC systems in both commercial and residential buildings include a system of ducts that allow the flow of air in and out of the rooms of the particular building or residence. The duct system is a network of ducts that extend through the ceilings and interior walls of the building. The duct system usually includes outlets that allow for the flow of air into the rooms of the building. Further a return duct is usually supplied that returns air from a particular room or area within the building. Typically the return duct includes a filter that must be maintained over a course of time. Normally this return duct is in the ceiling and requires a user to use a ladder or step stool in order to gain access to the vent and perform the maintenance related to the air filter. As a consequence, it would be advantageous to have a system wherein that this return air filter can be lowered to avoid the necessity of using a ladder or step stool to gain access to the filter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for lowering an air return filter comprising: a reel; a cable system attached to the reel; and an air return filter engaged at the end of the cable system, where the reel and the cable system enable a vertical adjustment of the air return filter. Preferably, the air return filter may seal a return air duct, where the air return filter is with a frame opening of a ceiling. Further, the air return filter may include a removable filter and is connected to a HVAC system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a system for lowering and elevating an air return filter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a system for lowering and elevating an air return filter in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a system for lowering and elevating an air return filter in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system that lowers a return air return filter to allow access to the return air return filter in a HVAC system. The system according to the present invention includes a reel that is installed in the duct system of the HVA system above the return air return filter. The reel includes a cabling system that attaches to the vent that covers the return air opening. This cable system allows the user to lower the vent that encloses the filter on the return air return filter. Once this vent is lowered the user may easily gain access to the filter for maintenance purposes. Once maintenance is complete the system returns the vent into a sealed position over the opening of the return air duct.

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a system for lowering and raising a HVAC air return filter. In this particular view, a filter 20 is at the center of frame panels that make up the system according to the present invention. A first frame panel 30 and second frame panel 31 are shown horizontally in FIG. 1. Along each side of these frames are other relative components of the present invention. The filter 20 is supported on wires 23 a, 23 a on a first side thereof and wires 25 a, 25 b on a second side. This framing system is mounted onto the existing HVAC opening to allow for the opening for the lowering and raising of the filter vent that's usually associated with the intake vent system of HVAC system. The wires 23 a, 23 b, 25 a, 25 b are adapted to be raised and lowered with mechanisms depicted in the frame assembly. The first set of mechanisms are shown at 15 a, 15 b and then a second set of mechanisms are shown at 17 a, 17 b. These mechanisms are associated with each respective wire also shown in the figure. As such each wire has an individual mechanism for lowering and raising the wire thereupon. The mechanism for raising and lowering the filter 20 may include a reel or spool assembly where wires 23 a, 23 b, 25 a, 25 b are wound and unwound by the rotation thereof with appropriate guiding systems. A motor 12 is provided where the motor 12 provides power to the lowering and raising mechanisms depicted therein. For mounting purposes a series of holes 21 a, 21 b, 23 a, 23 b are spaced at the respective corners of the frame assembly.

A side view of this frame assembly is depicted in FIG. 2. In the side view, front Panels 33 and 34 are designated. This side view shows the Filter 20 in a lowered position suspended upon wires 23 a, 23 b on a first side thereof and wires 25 a, 25 b on the opposing side. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view where the filter 20 is raised and held within the frame assembly and could be associated with a closed position. This assembly effectively may be mounted onto existing air intake vents and then allow for the easy accessibility of the filter for changing purposes.

The present invention therefore provides a unique and effective means to vertically adjust an air return filter in the ceiling of a HVAC system. This system therefore alleviates the necessity for ladders or step stools in order to access filters within the return air duct systems. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for lowering an air return filter comprising: a. a reel; b. a cable system attached to the reel; and c. a motor where engaged with the reel; and d. an air return filter engaged at the end of the cable system, where the reel and the cable system enable a vertical adjustment of the air return filter, wherein the motor rotates the reel to move the air return filter into and away from a return air duct.
 2. The system according to claim 1, where the air return filter is with a frame opening of a ceiling.
 3. The system according to claim 1, where the air return filter includes a removable filter.
 4. The system according to claim 1, where the air return filter is connected to a HVAC system. 